Fluid control valve



March 6, 1951 E. lRTl ETAL 2,544,597

FLUID CONTROL VALVE Filed 061. 14, 1944 i atented Mar. 6, 1951 I UNITED STATES ennui oFFiCE FLUID CONTROL VALVE Ernest Irti, Kenmore, N. Y., and Arthur A. OSickey, Cleveland, Ohio Application October 14, 1944, Serial No. 558,640

' 6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a fluid control valve and more particularly to that type of fluid control valve which is adapted to selectively connect a single fluid outlet passage with any one of a plurality of fluid inlet passages.

Valves of this type, which are frequently referred to in the art as selector valves, are widely used for the purpose of selectively connecting a plurality of fuel tanks mounted on an aircraft with the fuel supply system of the engine or engines of such aircraft.

From the standpoint of safety it is highly desirable that such control valves be positive in operation, with an assured flow from the connected tank and a definite shut-off from the tanks not connected. I

This desired object is attained in the structure of the present invention wherein the control valve leading from the connected tank opens freely in the direction of fluid flow and wherein the remainder of the control valves are positively held in closed position.

It is also desirable that such selector valves be ofsuch construction that the operative condition thereof may be readily perceptible to the operator, so that the shifting from one tank to another may be easily indexed.

The present invention provides a structure wherein these objects are attained in a superior manner, the successive opening of each control valve being unmistakably. perceptible, both audibly and physically. 7

It is a further important object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel control valve of the poppet type selectively operable by amaterially simplified mechanism which requires a, minimum of torque in its operation and which embodies the sense of feel by the pilot or operator in changing from one tank to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism of the type referred to in which the fluid control valve opens in the direction of flow of fuel, thereby affording the least amount of disturbance and thus eliminating or materially reducingthe presence of vapor lock.

7 Another object of the invention is to provide a control valve structure embodying sectional valve members which afford relative axial and angular movement between the valve head and stem to insure a fuel-tight seal between the valve head and its seat. v

Afurther object of the present invention is to provide a manually operable cylindrical cam having a single longitudinally extending notch in its peripheral surface in alignment and co- 2 operatively engageable with the stems of the valve members and selectively engageable with one stem at a time, the cam being rotated by the operator to connect one of the fuel tanks with the fuel supply system of the engine.

Another important object of the present invention resides in providing a fuel control valve embodied in a unitary housing of light-weight, compact construction, which is eificient in operation, which facilitates indexing, and which is adaptable to be connected at any desirable location on the plane or other supporting structure.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description, in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings.

The invention (in'a preferred form) is shown on the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure l'is a top plan view of a fluid control valve embodying the present invention with the cover removed to more clearly illustrate certain structural features.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line IIII of Figure l, with parts shown in elevation. I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view 'taken along the line IIIIII of Figure 2.

tains.

The fuel control valve of this invention comprises a housin In which may be in the form of an aluminum casting for lightness and which is somewhat circular in transverse section, as will be apparent from Figure 1. The housing [0 has a central bore ll extending inwardly from one end to form an annular wall I2 which terminates in a transverse end wall I2 at the opposite side. The end wall I2' is formed with a circular extension [3 projecting'axially inwardly and terminating in a. flat transverse face [4 perpendicular to the axis of the housing.

TA screw-threaded fuel outlet opening 15 extends inwardly from the end wall l2 into the adjacent extension I3, communicating at its inner end with an axial opening 16 of smaller diameter provided in the outer end of the extension I3. The extension [3 i provided with a plurality of slots I1 extending inwardly from its periphery into communication with the bottom of the outlet opening I5 and spaced apart angularly. These slots permit free how of fuel;from 'the interior of the housing through the outlet opening l5.

At the open end of the housing ll] an annular flange I8 is formed to removably receive a cover member I9 of aluminum or similar material. gasket is disposed between the adjacent faces of the flange and cover members toefiectafiuidtight joint, and threaded machine screws 2| "extend through aligned openingsiinfthe cover member, gasket and flange for securely maintaining the same in assembled relation, the screws being suitably spaced around the periphery of the f a e.

The housing 10 1' further provided with a plurality of'tubular; extensions 22 523, 24, 25 and 26 '(see Figure 1) proj ecting" outwardlyfasuitabl distance from the annular wall t2 and spacedapart angularly equal distances except for the extensions -22 and 26, which are'spaced apart substan- 'tially; twice the distance of -'the-otliers for a purpose to -be later described. These -tubular extensions are each interiorlyscrew-threaded at2-1 to provide fuel inlet openings adaptedfor suit- 'able connection with an: independent fuel 4 tank. Each fueliinlet opening is adapted t'o'communicate with the fuel outletfopening I S'through substantially identical 'structures associated therewith and the following descriptionpfon'e: of such structures "(shown'indetailin Figure '2 will be applicable to all. '7

Referring to Figure 2 it Willbe noted thatthe inlet opening, which is threadedatflfl,communii i a inner nd w hant ia fqne fin "2, provided in -the.adjacent portion of "the 'annular wall 'IZand'an annular encircling valv'e seat 29 isformed on the, inner peripheral surfajdebfthe latter.

shown in Figure '3, has a jcir'cular valve head"3 l of steel or similar material, ttheiouterfface of which is formed withf anjannulanrecessi32toi 'rece'ive aflflexible' seat ringF33 of; rubber orfsimilar m i l an is adapted i c q ret vei neage ment "with "the valve seat! 9 for controlling "the flow of fuel therepast. Thevalve member. is proan inwardly projecting detent-two sides of which the valve head, for engagement in "a'cam notch to be later described. The extension 34 is loosely fitted in the tubular extension 35 to'afiord limited relative axial movement and 'also"to afiordrelative angular movementysoth'at despitefany irregularities in the valve seatj29the 1valveyhead will always engage the latter 'to'insure a fluidtight seal. I p M It should be notedthatthevalveopensin the direction of the flow of fluid and suitablelmea'ns are therefore provided ,to hold the" valve'fclosed despite the statichhead of fluid. viiFor uusp -rpose a coil spring 3! is disposed axiallyjwithin; the

tubular extension 335, havin'gbhe 'iend'j'engaging the closed end of 'the'la'tter whileits'opposite 'end converge in a' plane perpendicular 'toi the axis'of 6 4 engages the adjacent end of the extension 34 to normally urge the latter outwardly and effect closing of the valve head against the static head of fluid fuel. The spring 31 should have a resistance approximately three to four times that of the force exerted by the static head of fluid. The extension 34 has an opening 38 extending transversely thereof and of such size that a pin.

39 extending therethrough has clearance on either side of such passage. The opposite ends of the pin project through adjacent aligned openings in the tubular extension 35 for a purpose to Ibeglaterdescribed.

The inner end of the tubular extension 35, as

fmorefclearlyshown in Figure 2, is slidably mounted in an aligned opening 40 provided in the wall aofawhexagonalsshaped member 4| preferably consisting of a phosphor-bronze casting. The member 4| has its inner end resting upon the face [4 of the extension I3 and has an axial projection -"42 piloted in-the opening J6. A plurality o'fiinachine screw's 43 proje'ct through aligned ropenings provided in the hexagonal= member- 4 l and? theeextension l 3 forremovably securing the same. inzas- 'seinbled'relation; the screws being suitably spaced 'angularly' as more clearly showmin Figure '1.

Member 4 I has a-'-c'entr'ally disposed bore Msrextending inwardly from its outer end 'and conimunicating-at its in'ne'r'e'nd with-a bore 45' of smaller diameter which extendsientir'ely' throug h-the p'rojection 42. A cam 46 is r'otatably flisposed in the bore and hasan a'xial ext'ension 4! rotatably mounted in the-bore 45 to more a' suitable bearing forflo'nle side -'or the' ca'm. The free'eIid-of the dtent 3i; is'continuously ngaged-by the outer peripheral wallof the cylindrical ca'rn dfi to mainit ain thevalvefrriember in closed position. This cylindrical wall *has a single longitudinally extending *V-shapejd eamnotch 4 8 cf complementary shape with respect to thefdet'nt Sti l-rite which it' is adapted to engageuponrotation ofthecam to permit movement of fthe valve in'emberin alignment [withfsaid notch into-open pos tio'n.

iSuitable {means are provided to assist 1 in i the opening'movemejnt-o the valve members and preferably comprises eial ly" formed spririg's i4!) having relatively-spaced coil -portions at -thelr lower ends aiid freerrds 5 I erig'ageable with'the adjacent "housing fwalls tF-ig-ure 1) {The 'in'trmediate portions of these fspr'ings include continuous upwardly projecting arms -52 on the opposite side from the free nd therof. with a connecting loop $53 'encirclin'g the adfiae'ent end of the tubular extension 131' and adap'ted for en- :gagementwith the 'projectingfr'idofthe pin 39 in such a-mannr that' a rsilient forceis applied to the pin in thef'd'irection on the opening movement of thefva'lve member. 'It should 'be-furthr noted that the engagement of this enci'rclin'g loop 3 ief the s pring pre entsrotauon er the tubular extension-35, and since that-extension is Inaintaineo1 in jnon ro'tative engagement with the remainder of the valve s'tr'ucture'by the pin 3g; thefvalve asseinblyis therebyretained' in predetermined angular position. v I

The-- peaks of the notch--48 {'ma'y 'gbe' rounded as {at'54-to cooperate morerreeiy with movements offthe 'detents 36 so as to reduce to-a minimum "the torque required to rotate't'he eam.

The cam- 46"- hasan operating sheriff-f formed inte rally therewith and projecting axi youtwardly' from'theside opposite-themansion-=42,

the shaft; rig} rotatablyfldispo'sed in an open-ing provided in the cover member l H]. A A bearing member "56; of -"Phosphoi-bronze or ot'her 1 suitable material, is disposed in the outer portion of the bore 44 and has a laterally extending marginal flange 51 adapted to rest upon the outer adjacent face of the hexagonal member 4 I. Said bearing member 56 has a central opening through which the adjacent portion of the shaft rotatably extends.

The cover member [9 is formed with a tubular depending extension 58 encircling the shaft in spaced relation and a packing gland member 59 is slidably disposed in the open end of the extension. A compressible packing ring 6|] encircles the adjacent portion of the shaft and is disposed between the bottom of the tubular extension and the inner side of the gland member. A coil spring 61 encircles the adjacent portion of the shaft and has one end engageable with the gland member and the other end engageable with the bearing member to exert a separating force sufficient to afford the shaft seal.

In the modified form of this invention illustrated in Figure 4 the converging detent member 3'6 which engages in the cam notch is supplanted by a roller 36 rotatably mounted between forks provided at the inner end of the tubular extension 35' which is otherwise constructed exactly as is the tubular extension 35 hereinbefore de scribed.

From an examination of Figure 1 it will be apparent that the detent members 36 on an of the valve structures are disposed relatively so that they may be brought into cooperative alignment with the notch 48 as the cam 46 is rotated. As there is only one notch 48 on the cam only one valve member can be open at any one time and that valve member is the one which is in alignment with the notch as the cam is selectively moved into position for such cooperative engagement between the notch and detent. All of the other valve members are maintained in closed position by reason of their respective detents being in engagement with the peripheral wall of the cam.

It may be desirable to have a neutral position for the cam, and for this reason the greater spacing between the adjacent inlet openings 22 and 26 is provided, whereby the cam may bemoved to bring the notch to a position therebetween without operation of any of the valve members.

Another important feature of this invention is that while there are five fuel inlet openings employed in the present structure, the casing may be constructed with any required number of such openings, dependent upon the characteristics of the aircraft upon which the control valve mechanism is to be mounted.

To those skilled in the art it will be sufficient to say that the control valve is connected at any desirable location on the aircraft or other supporting structure. It is customarily located remotely from the cockpit in which the pilot sits and the actuating means is generally mounted upon the instrument panel in a position convenient to the pilot. A flexible cable or other connecting means may have one end connected to an operating lever or other means and its opposite end securely connected to the free end of the shaft 55 of the fuel control valve assembly. The screw-threaded fuel inlet openings in the tubular extensions 22 to 26, inclusive, are each connected by a suitable conduit (not shown) to different fuel tanks located at various positions on the aircraft. The screw-threaded fuel outlet opening [5 is connected by a suitable conduit (not shown) with a fuel pump or other engine fuel supply means'as the case may be, and the function of the valve is to cut out from one tank as it is emptied and to cut into another tank which is full of fuel, with the least possible effort and attention being required on the part 'of the operator.

In the present case the operator or pilot turns the actuating handle on the instrument panel and this causes the shaft 55 to be rotated about its axis, which in turn moves the cam 46 with its notch 48 to a position adjacent a different valve member. When the notch 48 is adjacent the proper detent 36 the latter is moved into the notch by the action of the spring 49 on the pin 39 which in turn moves the valve head 3! out of engagement with its valve seat and thus establishescommunication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening through the passageways l1. As there is only one notch in the cam the pilot or operator can tell by the sense of feeling when the notch on the cam has been moved from one valve member to another. This physical sensation is so definite that it isunnecessary for the pilot to watch a dial or other designating device. It should be further observed that as the cam is rotated the detent in cooperative engagement with the slot is moved tion may be varied through a wide range with-' out departing from the principles of the present invention and it is not, therefore, our purpose to limit the present invention otherwise than by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A fuel control valve comprising a housingdefining a chamber having a plurality of non-- communicating fuel openings provided with seats and communicating with said chamber; and means for selectively establishing communication between any one of the fuel openings and the chamber, comprising a plurality of valve mem bers disposed in said housing in spoke-like array and having valve heads at their outer ends cooperatively engageable with'the seats of said fuel openings for controlling the flow of fuel thereby, said valve members being further provided with stems inwardly of said heads suitably mounted for individual sliding movement, each of said stems being sectional and including telescopi-.

cally arranged portions; a spring disposed in each of said telescopically arranged stem portions and having its opposite ends engageable with different stem portions to exert a separating force therebetween considerably greater than the static head of fuel in the opening associated with said seat;

whereby the valve heads are maintained in closed position despite the static head, one of said stem portions having a slot extending transversely therethrough, a pin extending loosely through" said slot and having its opposite ends projecting through aligned openings in the other stem portions for limiting the relative sliding movement of said stem portion but permitting both angular and axial justments, of said head relative to said stem portion, .to facilitate s'eating" of said;

heads on said seats,,and an operating shaft rotate ably mounted. in said: housing and having a soylindrical cam portion the peripheral wall ofwhichis continuously: engageable withlsaid stems, for normally maintaining said. valve heads inv closed position, the peripheral wall of said cam portion being provided with a single, notch in cooperative alignment with said stems and permitting opening movementv of; said :valve heads individually and selectively;

2; A fuel control valve comprising a housing defining av chamber having a plurality of noncommunicating fuel inlet openings provided with seats and a. fuel outlet opening communicating with said, chamber, and means for selectively es.- tablishing communication between anyone of the, fuel inlet openings and the chamber come.

prising a plurality of valve members disposed in said housing in generally spoke-like array and" having enlarged head portions at their outer ends, cooperatively engageable with the seats of said fuel inlet openings for controlling the flow of fuel thereby, said valve members being further provided with, stems suitably mounted for individual sliding movement, each of said stems being sectional andincluding telescopically arranged portions, a spring disposed in each of' said telescopically arranged stem portions and havingits opposite ends engageable with (iii-.- ferent stem portionsto exert a. separating force.

therebstween considerably greater, than the static headof fuel in the inlet opening associated with said seat, whereby the valve heads are maintained in closed position, despite the static head; one,

of said stem portions having a slot extending transversely therethrough, a pin extending through said slot and having its opposite ends projecting through aligned openings in the other stem portion for limiting the relative sliding alignment with said stems and permittin 01 ing movement of said valve heads individually and selectively.

3. A fuel valve comprising a housing defining a chamber having a plurality of non-communicating fuel inlet openings provided with seats and a fuel outlet opening communicating with said chamber and means for selectively estab-: lishing communication between any one of the fuel inlet openings and the chamber, comprising a plurality of valve members, disposed in said housing in spoke-like array and having valve heads at their outer ends coopera'ble with the seats of said fuel inlet openings for controlling the flow of the fuel therepast, said valve .inembers being further provided with inwardly exetending stems .suitably mounted for independent sliding movement, each of said stems, being .sectional and including telescopically arranged-nor,- tions, a spring disposed in each of said 1361B? scopically arrangedstem portions and having-its opposite ends engageable with difierent stem portions to exert a separating force therebetween suflicient to maintain a yieldable seal between sion normally tending to separate the extension; elements of the sectionalized stems, separate,

the ico'operating valve head and seat in excess" of' the static head or fuel in the inlet opening. associated with said seat, means for limitingv therelative sliding movement ofv said stem portions,- and a cam member rotatably mounted in the, centerof said housing and having a portion con-.. tinuously engageable with said stems for nor-.-

mally maintaining said valve heads in closed position, said portion being provided with means in cooperative alignment with said stems and adapted to permit opening movement of said valve members individually and selectively, and,

resilient means for urging each of said valve members inwardly against said cam member, said resilient means being disposed within said chamber and respectively engaging said valve members inwardly of' said heads, whereby unimpeded fluid flow may. occur through any selected inlet; opening into. said chamber.

4. A selector valve comprising a body having.

a generally circular fluid chamber with a plurality of radially spaced passageways leading away therefrom, a plurality of valve seats defined by the body and located at the mouth of each of said passageways, a, plurality of. valve; heads in the fluid chamber operating to and from the seats, a sectionalized telescopic valve stem for each valve, each of said stems including an:

axial stub extension projecting away from the 'valve head into the fluid chamber and being slidably mounted in an axial tubularextension, one end of each tubular extension being closed and defining a detent surface, an annular guide member in the center of the fluid chamber oleel fining a plurality of radially spaced openings to slidably receive the tubular extensions, a coil spring disposed axially in each tubular extension normally tending to separate the extension elements of the sectionalizzd stems, separate means for each valve to limit the relative telescopic movement between said extension .ele.-.

ments, a rotatable cam in the center of the guide member and having a notched cam surface coe operable with the detent surface of the tubular extensions to selectively seat each valve headv on a corresponding valve seat, and a plurality.

of spring means between the sectionalized stems and the body to assist in opening each valve whenv the detent surface of the tubular extension regs isters with a notch in the cam member.

.5. A selector valve comprising a body having a generally circular fluid chamber with a plua rality of radially spaced passageways leadingaway therefrom, a plurality of valve seats def lined by the body and located at the mouth of;

each of said passageways, a plurality of valve heads in the fluid chamber operating .to and from the seats, a sectionalized telescopic valve stem for each valve, each of said stems includingv an axial stub extension projecting away .ircm the valve head into the fluid chamber and being slidably mounted in an axial tubular extension, one end of each tubular extension being closed and defining a detent surface, an annular guide. member in the center of the fluid chamber defining a plurality of radially spaced openings: to slidably receive the tubular extensions, a coil? spring disposed axially in each tubular extene' means for each valve to limit the relative telee' scopic movement between said extension ele.-

ments, a rotatable cam in the center of the guide member and having a notched cam surface 00,-, operable with the .detent surface of the tubular extensions to selectively seat each valve, head on a corresponding valve seat, and a plurality of spring means between the sectionalize'd stems and the body to assist in opening each valve when the detent surface of the tubular' extension registers with a notch in the cam member, said spring means each comprising a shaped spring having relatively spaced coil portions with the free ends engageable with the valve body.

and an intermediate portion defining a connecting loop to encircle the tubular extension portion of each corresponding stem.

6. A selector valve comprising a body having a generally circular fluid chamber with a plurality of radially spaced passageways leading away therefrom, a plurality of valve seats defined by the body and located at the mouth of each of said passageways, a plurality of valve heads in the fluid chamber operating to and from the seats, a sectionalized telescopic valve stem for each valve, each of said stems including an axial stub extension projecting away from the valve head into the fluid chamber and being slidably mounted in an axial tubular extension, one end of each tubular extension being closed and defining a detent surface, an annular guide member in the center of the fluid chamber defining a plurality of radially spaced openings to slidably receive the tubular extensions, a coil spring disposed axially in each tubular extension normally tending to separate {the extension elements of the sectionalized stems, separate means for each valve to limit the" relative telescopic movement between said extension elements, a rotatable cam 'in the center of the guide member and having a notched cam surface c0- operable with the detent surface of the tubular extensions to selectively seat each valve head on a corresponding valve seat, and a plurality of spring means between the sectionalized stems and the body to assist in opening each valve when the detent surface of the tubular extension registers with a notch in the cam member, the axial stub extension of each valve stem having a transversely disposed slot-like passage and the means to limit relative telescopic movement comprising a pin means to project through said passage with clearance on either side thereof.

ERNEST IRTI.

ARTHUR. A. OSICKEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Oct. 6, 1931 France June 28, 1926 Number Number v 

